Minneapolis. Snap.

I finally stopped getting lost along the way and made it in to Minneapolis around 1 pm. Either my maps were inverted, or I'm inept at solo navigation, but I spent a lot of time driving in circles, until I could find the correct one-way streets. I started out set for the Walker Art Museum and botanical gardens on Vineplace. Finally, finally, I found the little ramp/road off the main drag and parked. But look what awaited me. Maraschino and cutlery joy in the form of the "famous" Spoon Bridge and Cherry water sculpture situation. I didn't think such things could be so amusing, but believe me, they were. Here is the piece in detail, and with the (fantastic) Minneapolis skyline in back.Other outdoor sculptures caused me some Milwaukee deja vu. Here, this molecular-based reproduction sculpture reminded me of the orange beast near the Milwaukee Art Museum. Also, this Walking Man immediately caught my attention because the man's stance was nearly identical to the poise of the "Store Window" (creepy) lady from the MAM, as I posted earlier.

And I know I've been a museum junkie recently, and the Walker Art Museum made me a little thankful to be heading to South Dakota tomorrow (only a little thankful, mind you.) At the Milwaukee Art Museum it was quiet and sparsely populated, so I could browse and interpret in peace. At the Walker, however, I didn't have that luxury. There were about 7 simultaneous tours going on to various groups flitting around. I couldn't' help but catch the tour guide comments in all their glorified glory. Sample comment heard in regard to a multimedia piece that featured the artist banging repeatedly against a wall swinging from there feet back and forth.
Tour Guide: "...comments on the fragility of the human form blahblahblah"
No, no, no. I couldn't handle it. I need some good ol' National Park land and monuments, really soon.

At the shops in downtown, I did happen upon a nifty used bookstore. They had a plastic frog sensor ding at the door, and a little puppy in the store. They also had a Louise Gluck uncorrected proof copy of Averno. Oops, a little out of my price range, but cool nonetheless.

By 5pm or so I hightailed it out of there and headed for my room at the Minneapolis hostel, where I am now posting. Wandering around the neighborhood at dinnertime, I found a place called Skytop Coffee House on Nicolette. Great atmosphere, great music. I sat and read up on the local music scene in the Twin Cities. Found out I'll miss the Fallout Art Festival by one day -- collective of indie bands/performers/local gathering. Geeze...is that was real culture feels like?! I've missed out for years, I guess. I sat down and read two of numerous, varied, glossy, colorful, informative free local magazines on music/events. Found out Tapes 'N' Tapes, a (now) popular indie (mainstream?) band, started out in Minneapolis. I saw them featured in Rolling Stone a couple of issues ago, and have been meaning to check them out ever since. I'll track down their album soon.

The Stats:
Today's sanity keeper: Mitch Hedberg. His comedy recording has to be one of the funnier things I've heard. After spending all this time looking at the cars beside me and in front of me and in back of me and on the other side, on the highway, and pondering the countryside and the nature of my odometer along the way, his comedy observances on the minutiae of everyday life was perfect. Best spot? The one about forming the Club Sandwich club -- "all in favor of frilly toothpicks?" and the peculiarity of the Bed and Breakfast -- "Soon, I'll be hungry...show me a ChairLunchDinner". LOVE IT.
Sanity Keeper #2: Diet Coke and having those AAA maps. You should see my car. A disaster and a half. Everything is everywhere. Socks, trash, umbrella, pens -- all scattered on the front seat and floor. I'm a walking mess, well, driving mess, really.
Current preoccupation: How, why, what am I going to teach in the fall in freshman comp.? I'm jumping in head first...